Israel’s Kan TV news ran a video recorded two weeks ago (the top video is the entire news segment in Hebrew; the second video–thanks to Ronnie Barkan for his work on this, is just Netanyahu’s comments captioned in English) at a gathering of Likud Party activists which Bibi Netanyahu addressed. It’s not clear whether the PM knew he was being videotaped or not. Probably not, otherwise he would never have said what he did. Or possibly, unencumbered by his new-found bromance with Donald Trump, he’s emboldened to say things he would never have thought of saying publicly.

Party dinner at which Netanyahu summoned God to smite Iran

At any rate, he bragged to the Party faithful that it was he, single-handedly who persuaded Trump to abandon the Iran nuclear deal. That reminds me of the shiva call he paid years ago to a settler family at which he boasted to them that America was a pushover; and that he would pull the wool of our eyes and get us to support, or at least permit Israel to do whatever it wanted in the settlements. Turns out he was right!

But the piece de la resistance (and a passage almost totally ignored by Israeli media) was the part when an audience member interjected in the middle of his speech. Here it’s recounted by the Times of Israel:

The prime minister then begins to speak about the Iranian regime — “not the Iranian people, I have nothing against them” — before he is interrupted by an unidentified person off-screen who says, “It will disappear, God willing.”

“You said it. From your mouth to the Holy One Blessed be His Name,” Netanyahu says in response as the clip ends.

Everyone knows that Netanyahu supports regime change. In fact, numerous former defense and intelligence chiefs have recounted that on at least two occasions Israel was pulled back from the very brink of attacking Iran. But to my knowledge, Netanyahu has never publicly advocated the destruction of the regime. This would be the first time.

This doesn’t change very much. It serves the same function as the recent passage of the Nation State-Death to Democracy Law. It ratifies in a naked, public way what everyone knew in their hearts. No one can say from now on–Israel has never said of Iran what it claims Iran has said of Israel. It lays bare the viciousness of the Israeli regime and its thirst for Iranian blood.

And Bibi and the neocons ought to be careful what they wish for. As I’ve written in the past, when Israel assassinated Abbas Musawi, it got Nassan Nasrallah. When it assassinated Sheikh Yassine, it got Khaled Meshal. The likely replacement for the current regime will be a military junta. But not a laughable incompetent, corrupt junta like Egypt. But rather, the IRG under the command of Qassam Soleimani or someone of that ilk, Iran will not dissolve into a puddle permitting Israel to install a western-friendly puppet regime. Instead, it will likely be a steely, determined military regime far more strident and aggressive than the current one, in which there are at least a few restraints on hardliners.

[comment deleted: off-topic and comment rule violation. I won’t warn you again before moderating you.]

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25 days ago

Potter

Netanyahu also invokes God. This is no different than, jihad and crusades, Islamist fundamentalism, or Christian fundamentalism. It’s cynical and demeaning to Judaism and Jews to use religion in this way really for Netanyahu’s craven political purpose. He’s so obviously insincere and unholy a man.

This also means war… a phony threat no doubt. It gives the Iranians a good excuse to threaten back, to continue developing their nuclear capabilities to deter especially if the US is on board with Israel under Netanyahu.

As I keep asking where are the American people standing up to Trump, the same can be asked with more emphasis on where Israeli’s have been with regard to this deplorable man, N.

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25 days ago

Lior Azar

What he actually says is “to the ears or gods” not blessed bla bla.
But beyond that – why you assume change of regime in Iran whould be for a worse one? And how much worse can it be from current one?
For an optimist who believes Israelis and Palestinians can leave in one state solution after refugees return, you view on Iran is not as cheerful. Why?

@ Lior Azar: Unlike you, I actually listened to the audio. Or if you listened to it you’re partially deaf. Netanyahu says very clearly the term kadosh baruch hu (“the Holy One Blessed be He”). He does not mention “ears” at all. You’re confusing the usual phrase, originally from Yiddish “from your mouth to God’s ears.” But Bibi does not add that phrase in his response to the guest. He says “from your mouth to the Holy One…”

Why assume regime change would be for a worse one? Oh I don’t know. Because there are no moderate reformist groups who would or could take power. Read the linked article I included (which of course you didn’t read, why would you?), which says the most likely successor to this government would be one controlled by military forces. How much worse can it be? Oh I don’t know, how much worse off is the U.S. after Barack OBama’s presidency compared to Trump’s? About that much worse.

I actually don’t see what is the big deal.
On this blog you write so much about the terrible regime of Israel. More so, you write about the terrible Israelis.
Bibi at least emphasized he has nothing against the people.

@ Lior Azar: Once again you want to be careful how you characterize me, my views, what I think or write. You’re invariably wrong. Yes, the Israeli government is terrible. Has been for a long time. But all Israelis? Nah. Have I written that all Israelis are terrible? Nah. Have I written that some Israelis are terrible? Yup. Have I written that the U.S. government and some Americans are terrible? You bet.

As for Bibi, I don’t care what he says. He can claim he’s cured cancer and made peace in the world for all I care. There isn’t a word out of his mouth that’s true. So if he says he has nothing against Iranians…do I believe it? Not more than I believed him when he said he supported two states. Or when he claimed ISIS wanted a Muslim caliphate inside Israel.

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